22nd April

We are approaching the end of our fundraising effort and I know many of our participants have competed their 20 days but are continuing to keep up their effort until the end of the month.

Sally B has walked her 80 miles and is now adding more miles. Carol T has completed her 20 different walks in 20 days and totaled 159,697 steps but is still stepping out. May and Charlotte continue to entertain with organ and piano pieces. May being based in Wymondham and 9 year old Charlotte who is supporting from Australia. Phil W is pedaling towards his 500 K on an exercise bike and

Linda and Jim will finish their cross country walking next week on Jim's 86 birthday and I am sure cake will be involved. Joan E has been diligent in keeping up her chair based exercises and says each time it gets easier and Linda W has had some hula hooping help from her grandchildren.

Our fundraising totals are creeping up and we are well over £3000 with another week to go and we show no signs of flagging. A big well done to everyone who is taking part and thanks to all our supporters.

Day One

We have been overwhelmed by the number of donations already received and are delighted to have reached over £2000 already......but it is Day one, 1st April, and good to see many of our participants making a start on their commitment to more activity. Ann has been walking with her grandson and Carol has been walking with her dog who was wearing a very topical "forget me not" collar. Charlotte in Australia has played her first tune on the piano in support of May who is playing 100 tunes before her 100th birthday on 5th May. Sally has started her epic walking challenge and Linda and Jim braved the cold wind and started their cross country walking challenge.

Walk, cycle, run, chair based exercises. Stepping into Spring in April 2021 with our choice of activity and committing to achieving our exercise goals for a minimum of 20 days in April.

Our target is to raise £2,000 to help continue our vital support for families living with Dementia. Apply for an activity log through organiser@wdsg.org.uk, encourage friends and family to sponsor your efforts and on the 1st April we will all start our Step into Spring together.

More than 920,000 people in the UK are living with Dementia a number expected to rise to over a million by 2024. There are over 700,000 unpaid carers of people with Dementia in the UK.

Wymondham Dementia Support Group was formed in 2008 with the objective of promoting the well-being and quality of life of people living with Dementia and their carers. The charity is run by trained volunteers who provide friendship, support and a safe environment for over 60 regular users. Activities are based round café style meetings on Monday and Friday mornings. We catch up over a cup of tea or coffee and for those who wish there are, at various times, table games, arts and craft activities, singing, a poetry group, sporting activities. There is also a state of the art interactive magic table which provides a stimulating opportunity for playful interactive light games. A garden adjoins the cafe and members can take an active part helping with the flower beds or spend some quiet time in peaceful surroundings. There are also regular outings to various local venues giving members the opportunity to get out and about with confidence and support.

Key to our activities is the weekly carers meetings which offers mutual support, a listening ear and a respite for carers while their loved ones are enjoying other activities with our experienced volunteers.

Following the temporary closure of the cafes due to Covid 19 we haven't been standing still. A buddy telephone system has continued supporting members and carers. A monthly newsletter and zoom meetings have also kept everyone in touch. Plans for a Home Visiting Service are coming to fruition which will provide some much needed one to one support at home giving carers some time out.

What do our members say?: